Two Texans named to top NALEO leadership roles

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds a photograph of her husband Bill Clinton embracing Dallas City Council member Pauline Medrano (right). Mrs. Clinton was making one of her final appearances on 2008 Texas presidential primary election day at Herrera's Mexican Restaurant in Dallas.

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano was named chair of the National Association of Latino Appointed and Elected Officials Educational Fund at the group’s biennial meeting on Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C.

Medrano, who has served on the NALEO Educational Fund board for three years, will take over the chair position formerly held by Florida Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata.

“Having served as a member of the board for the past three years I am excited to have an opportunity to further our mission to engage Latinos and empower them to be a part of the political process,” Medrano said, according to a release from NALEO. “I am inspired by the exceptional work that NALEO Educational Fund does each and every day. It is an honor to serve as chair of the NALEO Educational Fund Board of Directors.”

NALEO is a non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on helping Latinos enter public office and advocating for issues important to the Hispanic community.

San Antonio’s Justin Rodriguez, representative-elect for the 125th District seat in the Texas House of Representatives, was added to the NALEO board of directors for a one-year term.

A former city councilman, Rodriguez is set to replace Joaquin Castro in the Texas House. Castro was elected to the U.S. House to succeed retiring Rep. Charlie Gonzalez of San Antonio.